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2d ago

AI Reveals Thousands of Potential Antibiotics in Ancient Archaea

Published in Nature Microbiology today, the study points to a faster pipeline for antibiotic development by tapping unique peptides from extremophile Archaea.

Torres et al. synthesized 80 archaeasins, 93% of which showed antimicrobial activity in vitro against Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus spp. Image credit: Torres et al., doi: 10.1038/s41564-025-02061-0.
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Overview

  • Researchers used an updated deep-learning tool called APEX 1.1 to scan proteomes of 233 archaeal species and identified 12,623 candidate antimicrobial peptides dubbed archaeasins.
  • Experimental testing of 80 synthesized archaeasins yielded a 93% in vitro hit rate against a panel of major bacterial pathogens.
  • Three lead peptides halted drug-resistant bacterial spread in animal models after a single dose, with one matching the efficacy of last-resort polymyxin B.
  • Chemical analysis indicates archaeasins disrupt internal electrical signals in bacterial cells, setting them apart from traditional membrane-targeting antibiotics.
  • The team plans to refine APEX’s structural predictions, assess long-term safety and stability, and advance top candidates toward clinical trials while navigating development challenges.